How Much Should I Expect to Spend for a Radar Detector?

For example, recently a man from California called to ask about the best radar detector for use by him and wife. From his Zip code I could see that his town has Redflex red light cameras and that on any freeway, he runs a gauntlet of California Highway Patrol cruisers packing Stalker Dual SL radar operating on 34.7 GHz frequency. Oh, and the nearby City of Poway a few months back had received a Dept. of Justice grant for Stalker MDR radar and LTI UltraLyte LR 200 lasers. These had just been distributed to the San Diego Sheriff's Office, contracted to handle law enforcement for the city.

I suggested a GPS-enabled model, the Escort Passport 9500ix, the only effective countermeasure when facing this smorgasbord of enforcement threats. There was a pause when the subject of price arose. "Nothing cheaper, huh?" he asked.

Sure there are a few less expensive models, I told him, but they're not nearly as good: they false-alarm constantly, their internal GPS database is years out of date and it failed to warn of way too many photo enforcement cameras when we ran an 18-month test to check these for accuracy. Plus, the displays of this manufacturer's GPS models can't be read if the sun is shining and their GPS modules tend to get dislodged and disappear under the seat. He could save two C-notes but he'd still be at risk—meanwhile the detector would drive him nuts with its false alarms. Was it worth it?

Turns out it may not be: both he and his wife had recently been nailed by local red light cameras. The upfront cost: $816 in fines. (He hadn't yet totaled the insurance surcharges but expects to shell out another grand over the next three years as a result.)

And he was concerned about the extra couple of hundred bucks for the best GPS-enabled radar detector? It's the same story everywhere. Even before the economy tanked, communities nationwide were running short of cash. In response, they were already ratcheting-up speed enforcement to generate revenue. When the bottom fell out, enforcement efforts were redoubled even as state-mandated ticket surcharges reached historic highs.

There is more radar, laser and photo enforcement on the road today than ever before and it's being used to cast a huge net over American drivers. Only the smartest of the bunch will avoid becoming ensnared—and most of them will be packing a high-end detector.. It can't be done on the cheap: reliable protection costs some bucks.

Think of it as if you're planning to hike alone across the Kamchatka Peninsula in late summer. If a .38 is all you plan to carry, don't even bother. It'll only annoy a bear. A survivalist knows that at minimum, you'll need to take a .454 Casull or a .50 S&W—if you absolutely refuse to carry a long gun.

It works the same on the highway. These bears don't generally maul their victims, but the legal system certainly will. A radar detector's ability to protect is wholly governed by price. True, a $75 WalMart special can sometimes do the job. But while one of the largest Alaskan brown bears ever taken was dispatched with a .22 Long Rifle by a native Indian grandmother, I'm fairly sure that granny would gladly have used a .460 Weatherby Magnum if one had been handy. She got lucky—and she probably well knew it.

When you're up against the latest radar, that $75 detector—not to mention many $350 models—won't make a peep if you cruise past a photo radar van. And if the trooper is using his radar in instant-on mode, as is typical, don't expect advance warning. When the detector alerts, the game is already over. (If this concept proves elusive, take a moment to watch the video and see how the instant-on feature is used to neutralize radar detectors).

How much protection do you need? All you can afford; it's that simple. Figure on $300 and up for a good dash-mount model, e.g., BEL (Beltronics) RX65, $550 and up for a high-performance remote radar detector like the Escort Passport Qi45 and $500 for a good GPS-enabled model like the Escort Passport 9500ix or BEL GX65.

For the budget-minded there are a few under-$300 models that offer adequate protection. This includes the underrated BEL (Beltronics) Vector 995, the least expensive high-performance model on the planet. At an even lower price point are the Whistler XTR-690SE and Whistler XTR-695SE and Whistler Pro 78SE. There are scores of models available for less, but from them, don't expect miracles; you'll be cruelly disappointed.